THE EXECUTIVE BRANCHThe Presidency

Presidential Power

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were wary of unchecked power.

The Articles of Confederation had failed, in part because of the lack of a strong executive.

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention did not want a king; they wanted the power to rest with the people.

Powers of the President

The Powers of the President are listed in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution and include the power to:

Act as administrative head of the nation. Serve as commander in chief of the military Convene Congress. Veto legislation (but Congress can override a veto.) Appoint top officials, subject to the advice and consent of

the Senate. Make treaties subject to Senate approval. Grant pardons. Presidential power has expanded under the idea of “inherent

powers.” Presidential powers are also determined by the political skills

of the individual president.

The President of the United States of America…

Must be a natural-born citizen, a resident for at least 14 consecutive years and 35 years or older.

May serve two, four-year terms or 10 years. Earns a $400,000 salary and has a $50,000

expense account Is succeeded by the Vice President of the United

States if he (or she) dies, resigns or is removed from office (25th Amendment.)

The House of Representatives may impeach the president for “Treason, Bribery or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Getting elected….

Presidential primaries (Iowa, New Hampshire, Super Tuesday, etc.)

National Conventions - keynote address, platform, speakers

Presidential Campaign and Election Electoral College – Electors are chosen by

popular vote. Most states have a winner-take-all system. Congress would decide the winner if no one wins a majority. A minimum of 270 electoral votes are needed to win.

Roles of the President:Executive, Legislative, Diplomatic, Military, Judicial, Party Powers

Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen

Limitations on Presidential Powers

Congressional Checks: override, powers of the purse, impeachment, approval over appointments, legislation limiting powers (War Powers Act)

Judicial Checks Political checks – public opinion, media

attention, popularity

The Executive Organization

The Executive Office of the President includes the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Security Council

The President’s Cabinet includes the heads of the major departments in the executive branch and is not used as a decision-making body today.

The Cabinet

“The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.”

“The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.”

source: www.whitehouse.gov

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet